The Death Penalty in Alabama

How Alabama law treats death penalty, from the state code and official state agencies.

Short answer: Alabama has the death penalty. Capital offenses include murder committed during a kidnapping, robbery, rape, sodomy, burglary or arson; murder of an on-duty police officer or prison guard; murder for hire; Ala. Code 1975 §§ 13A-5-40(a), 13A-5-45(a), 15-18-82(a)

Death penalty	Alabama has the death penalty. Capital offenses include murder committed during a kidnapping, robbery, rape, sodomy, burglary or arson; murder of an on-duty police officer or prison guard; murder for hire; murder of two or more people in one act or scheme; and other listed murders, plus first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy and sexual torture when the victim is under 12. After a capital conviction a separate sentencing hearing decides between life without parole and death. Executions are carried out by lethal injection unless the person elects electrocution or nitrogen hypoxia. Source: Ala. Code 1975 §§ 13A-5-40(a), 13A-5-45(a), 15-18-82(a)

Death penalty

Alabama has the death penalty. Capital offenses include murder committed during a kidnapping, robbery, rape, sodomy, burglary or arson; murder of an on-duty police officer or prison guard; murder for hire; murder of two or more people in one act or scheme; and other listed murders, plus first-degree rape, first-degree sodomy and sexual torture when the victim is under 12. After a capital conviction a separate sentencing hearing decides between life without parole and death. Executions are carried out by lethal injection unless the person elects electrocution or nitrogen hypoxia.

Source: Ala. Code 1975 §§ 13A-5-40(a), 13A-5-45(a), 15-18-82(a)

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FAQ

Does Alabama have the death penalty?

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.